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Area Executive Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Area Executive Chef

Chicago, IL · Remote

$73K - $101K/yr

Role Overview Area Executive Chef | Remote with Travel (Must be based in the Greater Chicago Area) The way we improve the food experience for customers in the foodservice industry is through value ...

Area Executive Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$74K - $115K/yr

Role Overview Area Executive Chef | Remote with Travel (Must be based in the Greater Chicago Area) The way we improve the food experience for customers in the foodservice industry is through value ...

Area Executive Chef

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$77K - $106K/yr

Role Overview Area Executive Chef | Remote with Travel (Must be based in the Greater Los Angeles Area) The way we improve the food experience for customers in the foodservice industry is through ...

Area Executive Chef

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$74K - $115K/yr

Role Overview Area Executive Chef | Remote with Travel (Must be based in the Greater Los Angeles Area) The way we improve the food experience for customers in the foodservice industry is through ...

Area Executive Chef

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$77K - $106K/yr

Role Overview Area Executive Chef | Remote with Travel (Must be based in the Greater Los Angeles Area) The way we improve the food experience for customers in the foodservice industry is through ...

Area Executive Chef

Chicago, IL · Remote

$73K - $101K/yr

Role Overview Area Executive Chef | Remote with Travel (Must be based in the Greater Chicago Area) The way we improve the food experience for customers in the foodservice industry is through value ...

Senior Area Executive Chef

Ponder, TX

$65K - $90K/yr

Role Overview Senior Area Executive Chef - Universities (Multi-State Region) Sodexo Universities is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Area Executive Chef to lead culinary excellence across LA ...

Area Executive Chef

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$68K - $94K/yr

Role Overview Sodexo is seeking an Area Executive Chef ready to elevate workplace dining across a dynamic portfolio of client locations. In this highimpact leadership role, you will serve as the ...

Senior Area Executive Chef

Ponder, TX · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

Role Overview Senior Area Executive Chef - Universities (Multi-State Region) Sodexo Universities is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Area Executive Chef to lead culinary excellence across LA ...

Area Executive Chef

Washington, DC

$81K - $111K/yr

Overview The Executive Chef is responsible for coordinating, supervising and directing all aspects of the hotel's food production, while maintaining profitable F&B operations and high quality ...

Area Executive Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Overview The Executive Chef is responsible for coordinating, supervising and directing all aspects of the hotel's food production, while maintaining profitable F&B operations and high quality ...

Area Executive Chef

Sioux Falls, SD

$71K - $98K/yr

Role Overview Sodexo is seeking an experienced Area Executive Chef to support a Campus District covering South and North Dakota accounts with potential for future growth . This candidate should live ...

Area Executive Chef

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

$71K - $98K/yr

Role Overview Sodexo is seeking an experienced Area Executive Chef to support a Campus District covering South and North Dakota accounts with potential for future growth . This candidate should live ...

Area Executive Chef

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

$74K - $96K/yr

Role Overview Sodexo is seeking an experienced Area Executive Chef to support a Campus District covering South and North Dakota accounts with potential for future growthThis candidate should live in ...

Area Executive Chef

Washington, DC

$81K - $111K/yr

Overview The Executive Chef is responsible for coordinating, supervising and directing all aspects of the hotel's food production, while maintaining profitable F&B operations and high quality ...

Senior Area Executive Chef

Edison, NJ

$74K - $102K/yr

Sodexo is seeking an Senior Area Executive Chef for the Hackensack Meridian Health System in Central and North, New Jersey. Hackensack Meridian Health is an American network of healthcare providers ...

Senior Area Executive Chef

Edison, NJ · On-site

$71K - $98K/yr

Sodexo is seeking an Senior Area Executive Chef for the Hackensack Meridian Health System in Central and North, New Jersey. Hackensack Meridian Health is an American network of healthcare providers ...

Senior Area Executive Chef

North Bergen, NJ · On-site

$79K - $109K/yr

Sodexo is seeking an Senior Area Executive Chef for the Hackensack Meridian Health System in Central and North, New Jersey. Hackensack Meridian Health is an American network of healthcare providers ...

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Area Executive Chef information

See salary details

$40K

$86.9K

$130K

How much do area executive chef jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for area executive chef in the United States is $86,886.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,500.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Area Executive Chef vs Executive Sous Chef?

AspectArea Executive ChefExecutive Sous Chef
CredentialsCulinary degree, extensive experience, leadership skillsCulinary degree, significant kitchen experience, leadership skills
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple restaurant locations or large kitchens within a regionSupports head chef in a single restaurant or kitchen
Employer & IndustryHospitality, hotel chains, restaurant groupsHotels, restaurants, catering services
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding regional culinary leadership rolesUnderstanding senior kitchen support roles

The Area Executive Chef manages multiple locations or large kitchens within a region, focusing on operational oversight and culinary standards. In contrast, the Executive Sous Chef supports the head chef in a single restaurant or kitchen, handling daily kitchen operations. Both roles require culinary credentials and leadership skills, but the Area Executive Chef has broader regional responsibilities, while the Executive Sous Chef focuses on a specific establishment.

How does an Area Executive Chef typically manage multiple kitchen teams across different locations?

An Area Executive Chef oversees culinary operations for several venues, requiring excellent organizational and leadership skills. They regularly visit each site to ensure consistency in food quality, safety, and presentation standards, and often coordinate menu development and staff training across locations. Effective communication and delegation are key, as the chef must empower onsite kitchen managers while providing guidance and support. Balancing hands-on involvement with strategic oversight is a common challenge in this role.

What are Area Executive Chefs?

Area Executive Chefs are senior culinary professionals responsible for overseeing the kitchens and culinary operations of multiple restaurants, hotels, or food service establishments within a specific geographic area. They manage and mentor head chefs, develop menus, ensure food quality and safety standards, and control costs across all locations under their supervision. Area Executive Chefs also collaborate with management to implement brand standards and drive culinary innovation, often traveling between sites to maintain consistency and high performance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Area Executive Chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Area Executive Chef, you need advanced culinary expertise, menu development skills, and proven experience in food service management, typically supported by a culinary degree or equivalent professional background. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food safety certifications (such as ServSafe), and inventory management systems is essential. Leadership, creativity, and strong communication are crucial soft skills for overseeing multiple kitchens, inspiring teams, and ensuring consistent quality. These competencies are vital to maintaining operational excellence, brand consistency, and customer satisfaction across all locations.
More about Area Executive Chef jobs
What cities are hiring for Area Executive Chef jobs? Cities with the most Area Executive Chef job openings:
What states have the most Area Executive Chef jobs? States with the most job openings for Area Executive Chef jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Area Executive Chef jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Area Executive Chef jobs are:
Infographic showing various Area Executive Chef job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,886 per year, or $41.8 per hour.
Area Executive Chef

Area Executive Chef

Sodexo

Chicago, IL • Remote

$73K - $101K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Sodexo rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,129 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

342nd of 487 rated business services


Job description

Role Overview

Area Executive Chef | Remote with Travel (Must be based in the Greater Chicago Area)

The way we improve the food experience for customers in the foodservice industry is through value-added creativity and long-term service and support. The Citadel Area Executive Chef role helps inspire everyone in every function to think food, kitchen, and customer first and is designed to add value to our customers with beneficial food solutions. 

As a Citadel Area Executive Chef Chicago, you will support, from a culinary perspective, the CD Team by assisting in the delivery of critical customer presentations and new menu ideations. You will act as a savory expert. Lead the culinary content development for specific culinary projects in North America in conjunction with your chef peers and in collaboration with the Head chef. In particular, you will be an accelerator in the delivery of Savory/Scratch Cooking growth initiatives designed to enhance the value of UFS brands at both existing customers and new ones. Customer Chefs will work in concert with Marketing, CD Ops, Finance and Supply Chain to coordinate efforts and resources on behalf of their Zone.

What You'll Do
  • You're a born leader and self starter: You deliver success with customers in the market by jumping into the details with your CD team. You constructively challenge them in their existing ways of working and inspire them to discover elevated ways to succeed.You prioritize and take control of challenges as they arise.  
  • You're a dot connector: You coordinate Unilever resources to ensure alignment to the key priorities. You rely upon collaboration as a core principle of success. You network with decision makers both internally and externally across all sectors of the industry to expedite business acquisition 
  • You're a paradox navigator: Routinely interface and work effectively with multiple internal departments/personnel, plus senior level and customer personnel, which may create complexity and time management challenges. You embrace the complexity and can creatively develop solutions to maximize business results.
What We Offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
  • 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
  • Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring
  • 3+ years culinary experience in the Foodservice Industry (Corporate or Kitchen) 
  • Culinary Arts Degree 
  • 3+ years working in your respective Citadel (Chicago). 
  • Solution selling mindset with a creative ability to solve customer needs 
  • Ability to collaborate with sales teams to both hunt and farm for business in the market 
  • Understanding of the Broadline Distribution Network (Sysco, US Foods, etc.) 
  • Experience selling branded food categoriesa plus 
  • Excellent communication and follow up skills throughout the layers of Unilever organization. 
  • Accountability to deliver KPIs, Goals as a team 
  • Business Planning and Implementation 
  • Consumer/Operator Understanding & Passion 
  • Travel as needed outside of your citadel around 10%
Who We Are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you're happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Minimum Management Experience - 3 years   

Minimum Functional Experience - 3 years

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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